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Technical the difference between something functional verses something functional and aesthetically pleasing..

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by nobby, Nov 4, 2023.

  1. nobby
    Joined: Jan 8, 2006
    Posts: 1,358

    nobby
    Member

    about two days
     
  2. 327Eric
    Joined: May 9, 2008
    Posts: 2,202

    327Eric
    Member

  3. LOST ANGEL
    Joined: Jan 2, 2003
    Posts: 5,370

    LOST ANGEL
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

  4. Illustrious Hector
    Joined: Jun 15, 2020
    Posts: 588

    Illustrious Hector
    Member

    Very easy on the eye!, and the car is pretty sweet too.
     
  5. The XR-6 won America's most beautiful Roadster award at the 1963 Grand National Roadster show. Before and after photo. Functional and aesthetically pleasing to the judges in 1963.

    before.JPG a a a.jpg
     
  6. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 59,924

    squirrel
    Member

    It can take a lot more than two days to make something that works, look good
     
    cvstl, Marty S, metlmunchr and 5 others like this.
  7. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 14,352

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    Ya, thought about this for a few years. Then cut and pieced it together, that was a couple of day’s. Still need to drill hole so trans mount will bolt up. But I haven’t finalized front to back setting of the engine. It’s in the plus or minus 1/4” range. IMG_1598.jpeg IMG_1600.jpeg IMG_1603.jpeg
     
    sko_ford, tommyd, Okie Pete and 12 others like this.
  8. tubman
    Joined: May 16, 2007
    Posts: 8,214

    tubman
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I didn't think it was even a "Hot Rod" then, and I haven't changed my opinion after 60 years.

    AMBR? I think psychedelics were available even back then.
     
  9. theHIGHLANDER
    Joined: Jun 3, 2005
    Posts: 10,727

    theHIGHLANDER
    Member

    This very topic touches on something I've observed over many years. If you look at how some of the industry's finest cars of the era were engineered they can be very inspiring on many levels.
    ****ged from a Google img search:
    upload_2023-11-5_10-32-42.png
    This is the front engine mounting plate for a 33-4 Packard. The big slot to the right is for the lower radiator hose, the center rectangle holds a hard rubber isolator and retaining plate which did a masterful job at damping vibrations. The shape follows closely to the overall crank case and timing cover. Seen as an ***embly it's quite pleasing.
    upload_2023-11-5_10-38-5.png
    Not only Packard, but many of the fine cars have quite elegant solutions to things. As I started out saying, they can be very inspiring.
     
  10. 48stude
    Joined: Jul 31, 2004
    Posts: 1,375

    48stude
    Member

    Building hot rods is about solving problems. Your solutions have to be functional, be safe but most of all please the eye. The last being the most difficult. I like my hot rods to flow without things that catch your eye. I appreciate hot rods that meet those criteria, because you know they weren't just thrown together.
     
  11. 41 GMC K-18
    Joined: Jun 27, 2019
    Posts: 5,190

    41 GMC K-18
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    To me, the Dusenberg engines were some of the most beautiful and highly functional engines of their time period.

    dusenberg engine.jpg
     
  12. JD Miller
    Joined: Nov 12, 2011
    Posts: 2,652

    JD Miller
    Member

    Torpedoes away !
     
    Stogy likes this.
  13. dana barlow
    Joined: May 30, 2006
    Posts: 5,430

    dana barlow
    Member
    from Miami Fla.

    Works and works well can often be a matter of using engineering ,or just bolt it together like how you think you saw it before. Misread old photos n lazy builders have made some think they did it right,but did not. Steering is were the biggist number of screw ups,pop up..
     
  14. theHIGHLANDER
    Joined: Jun 3, 2005
    Posts: 10,727

    theHIGHLANDER
    Member

    Here's a little something, that Duesy engine. Up front about center of the crank, that's the oil fill. Behind that you can see a 'T' handle which is attached to the fuel pump diaphragm. Yes you can pull that to prime the carb. But in between there's a box with a tall polished fixture. Note on top of that, the 3 electrical connections. It's a clock. Well actually a timer filled with several gears that trip indicator lights on the instrument panel. Seen below:
    upload_2023-11-6_10-20-39.png
    At the ends of the panel you see 4 indicator lights. On the left the automatic ch***is lubricator is monitored, it lights up when it's doing its job, the light below indicates the pressure on the system and if it doesn't light you top off the ch***is lube container. On the right, 1 light tells you its time to change the oil, the other says time to check the battery water. This was developed in 1928. Not a simple solution but sure is pretty.

    There's a lotta stuff in a Duesy to marvel at. Some elegantly simple, some unbelievable. In a Murphy Roadster the side windows are operated by a spring ***ist chain drive operated by the window crank. Lil Jimmy's bike may now be at risk...:eek:
     
    lucky, Jacksmith, Rocket88NZ and 12 others like this.
  15. 2OLD2FAST
    Joined: Feb 3, 2010
    Posts: 6,062

    2OLD2FAST
    Member
    from illinois

    This thread could also include how to keep your creation out of the " Rube Goldberg" category .
    Smooth & simple win every time !
     
    Okie Pete, SuperKONR, RICH B and 4 others like this.
  16. RodStRace
    Joined: Dec 7, 2007
    Posts: 8,758

    RodStRace
    Member

    Something I spot on cars along with function and beauty is serviceability and building to the human who is working on it.

    Certain car brands were famous for sharp edges in areas where hands needed to be underhood. :mad:

    I watch modern exotic rebuilds on the tube and wonder why there needs to be 6 coolant connections or a vacuum system that looks like Detroit's worst from the 70s.

    One that drove me nuts was a OT euro brand that had 8 bolts holding on the water pump. Okay, not everyone can do it with 4... But one of those bolts was behind the crank damper/pulley. Oh, and there wasn't enough room to remove it with the engine in place. You have to remove the motor mount bolts and jack up the engine to remove the pulley, to remove the water pump.

    Back on topic, hiding things can be pleasing at first glance, but if it's difficult get to and service it's not the best it can be.
     
    Okie Pete, SuperKONR, Stogy and 6 others like this.
  17. Sharpone
    Joined: Jul 25, 2022
    Posts: 2,914

    Sharpone
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    What car
     
  18. LOU WELLS
    Joined: Jan 24, 2010
    Posts: 3,492

    LOU WELLS
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from IDAHO

  19. 56don
    Joined: Dec 11, 2005
    Posts: 10,329

    56don
    Member

    Is this thought about cars or women?;)
     
    Sharpone and Stogy like this.
  20. deuceman32
    Joined: Oct 23, 2007
    Posts: 542

    deuceman32
    Member

  21. tubman
    Joined: May 16, 2007
    Posts: 8,214

    tubman
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I think I should contribute something positive to this thread after ragging on the XR-6. Several years ago, I wanted to put a Mallory "Flattop" distributor on the flathead in my "Tub". I found the distributor and went through it, but couldn't find the proper "Trash Can" condenser for it. Realizing that I just could not bring myself to mount an ordinary FLAPS condenser on it, I decided to try to make my own "Trash Can". About 2016, I came up with something that was close, but wasn't quite "there". Anyway, I decided to make a final change that brought it to the point that I was satisfied with it. Here's a picture of a WH DuCoil (courtesy of @bchctybob) with a couple of my current condensers mounted on it. They have proven to be dead stone reliable, but the first ones didn't look nearly this good,
    WHDuCoil.jpeg
     
  22. Hemi Joel
    Joined: May 4, 2007
    Posts: 1,640

    Hemi Joel
    Member
    from Minnesota

  23. X-cpe
    Joined: Mar 9, 2018
    Posts: 2,261

    X-cpe

    Steering box mount, also the motor mount. Will have to drop the steering box to install the motor mount bolt.
    DSC00907.JPG

    Trans mount
    DSC00911.JPG
     
  24. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 27,207

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Time...funny I just realized what 'two days' means now...:p

    :rolleyes:...Okay now that I got it...I present my aluminum glove box...you see my ride didn't have one...it has a 36 dash and gas axed tank...so I could have bought a $17 dollar pressboard one but as an aviation guy I felt an aircraft inspired one would better suit the theme even if you hardly see it...this cost more, took longer than 2 days and I even installed it...it looks right at home...

    36FordGB.jpg
    Rear_angle_pre_rivet_sm.jpg

    Top_view_sm.jpg

    Final_Internal1)small.jpg

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Dash_sml.jpg

    https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...rts-no-price-tags.767484/page-4#post-11864604

    https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...rts-no-price-tags.767484/page-4#post-12583579

     
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2023
  25. Hemi Joel
    Joined: May 4, 2007
    Posts: 1,640

    Hemi Joel
    Member
    from Minnesota

    charleyw, -Brent-, Sharpone and 4 others like this.
  26. Hemi Joel
    Joined: May 4, 2007
    Posts: 1,640

    Hemi Joel
    Member
    from Minnesota

    And for a hot rod, how about: Something functional, aesthetically pleasing, and LIGHT WEIGHT?
     
  27. swade41
    Joined: Apr 6, 2004
    Posts: 14,466

    swade41
    Member
    from Buffalo,NY

  28. X-cpe
    Joined: Mar 9, 2018
    Posts: 2,261

    X-cpe

    I lost LIGHT WEIGHT and aesthetically pleasing a long time ago. I can feel some of the functional starting to slide , but I'm hangin' on for dear life..
     
    Sharpone, CSPIDY, Okie Pete and 4 others like this.
  29. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 15,301

    Budget36
    Member

    I’m not sure what I like more, the Dusenberg or your explanation/knowledge of it.
    Both are amazing.
     
    Stogy, Rocket88NZ, Sharpone and 7 others like this.
  30. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 35,967

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Scrolling down though the posts there is a lot of truth in that statement. While you can knock something out in a few minutes that is fully functional. That extra time that is spent making the functional piece into something that is functional and fully asthetically pleasing usually takes far more time than money.

    Von Hartmann's motor mount that Swade41 posted in post 27 is a work of art compared to the Ones a lot of us make or buy. These work and are solid but sure are not anywhere as close too cool as the ones Von Hartmann made. View attachment 5888471
    Both function and both do exactly the same job in the same way but one is ground zero tech while the other is a cl***y and functional piece of art for the car. Screenshot (293).png Von Hartmann mount.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2023

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